Marshall Mission Files, Lot 54–D270
Minutes of Meeting Between General Marshall and Dr. Stuart at No. 5 Ning Hai Road, Nanking, August 21, 1946, 5 p.m.
| Also present: | Colonel Caughey |
Dr. Stuart opened the meeting by stating that General Chou En-lai was at the Embassy for a conference, but that he (Dr. Stuart) had broken off the conference temporarily to clear with General Marshall a question which had come up. This would simplify his subsequent procedure. Specifically, Dr. Stuart desired to know whether or not the 5 military conditions previously imposed by the Generalissimo78 with reference to the termination of hostilities would apply in the event Dr. Stuart’s small group met with the object of resolving certain of the outstanding political aspects of the present situation. General Marshall replied that he did not discuss specifically this point with the Generalissimo, but that his understanding of the situation was that the Generalissimo’s military conditions would still be applicable. General Marshall regretted not being able to give Dr. Stuart a more definite answer, but stated that General Yu Ta Wei, who had conferred at length with the Generalissimo on this point, was returning from Kuling this date. General Marshall suggested that Dr. Stuart contact General Yu Ta Wei in an effort to determine the Generalissimo’s position in this regard.
Dr. Stuart reported, leaving out for the moment consideration as to whether or not the Generalissimo’s conditions still were applicable, that General Chou appears to have his State Council members arranged for, depending on a 9, 10, and 14 seat arrangement. With respect to the arrangement for membership, as well as arrangements with reference to other matters, Dr. Stuart reported that General Chou [Page 62] appears to be optimistic regarding reaching a solution. Dr. Stuart added, however, that General Chou is of the opinion that Dr. Stuart’s small group should be sanctioned by the Steering Committee of the PCC.
General Marshall asked Dr. Stuart what General Chou’s general reaction had been thus far. Dr. Stuart said that General Chou gave him the impression of decided relief and pleasure over the prospects of organizing, at an early date, the State Council. General Chou seemed to appear confident that the necessary arrangements could be worked out although he (General Chou) wanted a definite assurance from the Generalissimo that agreement as to principles on the small group level will be accepted in the higher government levels.
Dr. Stuart concluded the meeting by stating that he would contact General Yu Ta Wei this evening in an effort to find out definitely the Generalissimo’s attitude with respect to the present negotiations.
- See record of conference on August 6, vol. ix, p. 1452.↩